Srinagar: Tricolor ceremonially blew above the Lal Chowk Srinagar clock tower on Wednesday for the first time in front of the Republican Day crowd, creating a sense of history that had been lost when the last formal Hoisting event was held there 30 years ago in the middle of the curfew.
Back in 1992, the former Minister of Union and Veterans BJP Murli Manohar Joshi had arrived at Srinagar on the Republican Day to lift the flag in the historic clock tower, only to run into the night curved by terrorist administration.
While security forces have spread tricolor there on national days, never before Wednesday doing local crowds gathered in the city center to become part of such an event.
Two Young Kashmir – Activist Sajid Yousuf Shah and Sahil Bashir – brought to the clock tower by hydraulic crane to unfurle the flag, followed by the tension of the national anthem.
When the rainflower petals in the middle of the crowd and tricolor fluttered on cold winter winds into the accompaniment of patriotic songs, renting hard air.
“Since childhood, we have seen the Pakistani flag raising this clock tower several times.
This is a proud moment for me to be part of an opportunity when the Indian flag is opened in front of this audience for the first time in 73 years,” Bashir said.
The crowd at the event consisted of dozens of BJP workers and supporters, many of them seemed to be overcome with emotions while watching the flag troubleshooting ceremony.
The young trainee of the Kashmir martial arts academy was among those who participated in the event.
Bashir said J & K had witnessed “many changes on the ground” because of the nullification of Article 370 in August 2019 took the special status of the state of the ESTWE.
“The lifting of the national flag on the clock tower in Lal Chowk in front of the peaceful crowd speaks a lot about changes in the Kashmiris mindset.
This might reflect what people call ‘Naya Kashmir’.” Former CM and Vice President of the National Conference Omar Abdullah took friction on the administration to win the tricolor from the clock tower well before sunset.
“Tricolor disappeared in less than a few hours.
It didn’t even stay there for that day.
Why insult the national flag only for Ophoic Op? Is this what happens patriotism & nationalism? Photos & trolling?” He tweeted.
Throughout Srinagar, more national flag fluttered in various places, including Pratap Park and Iqbal Park, rather than on the previous Republican day or independence day in memory.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s Advisor R R Bhatnagar took the honorary guard at the Primary Republican Day Parade at the Cricket Stadium in Sonwar.
A brief cultural program was held after the parade to mark the opportunity.
Republican day function at other district headquarters and Tehsil Valley went smoothly, overseeing the large contingent of security forces.
As part of a security drill, internet services on mobile devices have been temporarily prohibited in several areas of J & K for half a day.